Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Catalonia to Spain – Agree on Referendum or Face Unilateral Split

 Artur Mas, head of Catalonia’s regional government


Reuters, 22/09 13:36 CET

By Julien Toyer

BARCELONA (Reuters) – The head of Catalonia’s regional government says a unilateral split from Spain is unstoppable unless the central government agrees to call a binding referendum on independence.

Artur Mas threw down the gauntlet to Madrid less than a week before a local election which Catalan separatists have billed as a proxy vote on secession.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has repeatedly ruled out a breakaway by the wealthy northeastern region and opposed any attempt to hold a referendum.

Mas did not expect matters to change after a national election due in December as not only the ruling People’s Party (PP) but also the opposition Socialists and the smaller Ciudadanos party oppose such a possibility.

“I am very sceptical that a new Spanish government could offer a deal to Catalonia on holding a referendum,” Mas said in an interview with Reuters at the 16th Century Palau de la Generalitat regional headquarters.

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Source: Euronews 

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